A Salvadoran national with a warrant for suspected involvement in the MS-13 gang was among dozens arrested in a five-day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in New Jersey.
ICE agents arrested 91 people in the operation, which targeted suspected criminal aliens and immigration violators, the agency said in a news release Monday. ICE said 77 percent of those arrested were convicted criminals and 70 percent have prior felony convictions.
“The remarkable results of our officers and law enforcement partners highlight ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark. “This operation focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety. Because of the targeted efforts of these professional officers, there are 91 fewer criminals in our communities.”
The 91 people – nationals from 28 countries – who were arrested in the operation will go through removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
Some of the prior convictions of those arrested include sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, distribution of narcotics, domestic violence, burglary, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, kidnapping and illegal reentry.
